Thursday, 27 November 2008

A press release by Statewatch sounds the alarm concerning the very principles the European Community (European Union) is built on. Rolling back free movement of persons endangers a fundamental principle and trying to forestall more open legislative procedures by intergovernmental fiat is a grave procedural choice.

I give you the text of the Statewatch press release with including links for further study:

Press release, 27 November 2008JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS COUNCIL, Brussels, 27 November:Restriction on the EU freedom of movement of citizens who have been convicted of serious crime or for "repeated offences" (which may be "low level")

Ministers are discussing the adoption of Council Conclusions: Free movement of persons: abuses and substantive problems – Draft Council conclusions on abuses and misuses of the right to free movement of persons (16151/1/08, 26 November 2008, pdf):

These say that: "Only those exercising their rights in the spirit of the Treaty should benefit from freedom of movement." While referring to third country nationals the proposals would apply to EU citizens as well and allow Member States to deny entry to those who:"break the law in a sufficiently serious manner by committing serious and repeated offences

"The scope of "repeated offences" is undefined and could apply, for example, to protestors who take part in cross-border demonstrations.

These Conclusions are based on a proposal put forward by the UK: Statewatch Analysis: The UK proposals on EU free movement law: an attack on the rule of law and EU fundamental freedoms by Professor Steve Peers - University of Essex (pdf):

Intergovernmental law-making without openness and transparency is once again at work. Swift scrutiny by the European Parliament and national parliaments is called for to safeguard the rights of EU citizens.